Stephen Krashen's

Hypotheses
STEPHEN KRASHEN
Stephen Krashen is an expert in the field
of linguistics, specializing in theories of
language acquisition and development.
"...In the real world, conversations with
sympathetic native speakers who are
willing to help the acquirer understand
are very helpful".- Stephen Krashen.

THE ACQUISITION-
LEARNING HYPOTHESIS
The 'acquired system' or 'acquisition' requires
meaningful interaction in the target language.
The "learned system" or "learning" is the product of
formal instruction and it comprises a conscious
process. A deductive approach in a teacher-centered
setting produces "learning", while an inductive
approach in a student-centered setting leads to
"acquisition". According to Krashen 'learning' is less
important than 'acquisition'.

THE MONITOR HYPOTHESIS

It explains the relationship between acquisition
and learning and defines the influence of the
latter on the former. The monitoring function is
the practical result of the learned grammar.
According to Krashen, the role of the monitor is
minor, being used only to correct deviations
from "normal" speech and to give speech a
more 'polished' appearance.

THE INPUT HYPOTHESIS

According to this hypothesis, the learner
improves and progresses along the 'natural
order' when he/she receives second
language 'input' that is one step beyond
his/her current stage of linguistic
competence. The Input hypothesis is only
concerned with 'acquisition', not 'learning'.

THE AFFECTIVE FILTER

HYPOTHESIS
'Affective variables' play a facilitative, but non-
causal, role in second language acquisition.
These variables include: motivation, self-
confidence, anxiety and personality traits. Low
motivation, low self-esteem, anxiety,
introversion and inhibition can raise the
affective filter and form a 'mental block'. In
other words, when the filter is 'up' it impedes
language acquisition.

NATURAL ORDER HYPOTHESIS

Suggestes that the acquisition of
grammatical structures follows a 'natural
order' which is predictable. Krashen
however points out that the implication of
the natural order hypothesis is not that a
language program syllabus should be based
on the order found in the studies. In fact, he
rejects grammatical sequencing when the
goal is language acquisition.

Made by: Elizabeth Cervera

References:
Crystal, David The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. Cambridge University Press, 1997.
Krashen, Stephen D. Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Prentice-Hall International, 1987.
Krashen, Stephen D. Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Prentice-Hall International, 1988.
Schütz, Ricardo E. "Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition" English Made in Brazil <https://www.sk.com.br/sk-krash-english.html>. Online.